Page 1 of 35
NEWBORN ASSESSMENT: NCLEX QUESTIONS EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS EXAM 2026 LATEST EDITION
SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
Newborn Assessment: NCLEX questions
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on a newborn infant. When
assessing the infant's head, the nurse notes that the ears are low-set. Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
1.
Document the findings.
2.
Arrange for hearing testing.
3.
Notify the health care provider.
4.
Cover the ears with gauze pads.
3
Low or oddly placed ears are associated with various congenital defects and should
be reported immediately. Although the findings should be documented, the most
appropriate action would be to notify the health care provider. Options 2 and 4 are
inaccurate and inappropriate nursing actions.
The nurse is providing instructions to a new mother regarding cord care for a
newborn infant. Which statement, if made by the mother, indicates a need for
further instructions?
1.
"The cord will fall off in 1 to 2 weeks."
2.
"Alcohol may be used to clean the cord."
3.
"I should cleanse the cord two or three times a day."
4.
"I need to fold the diaper above the cord to prevent infection."
4
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The diaper should be folded below the cord to keep urine away from the cord, so a
statement by the client that the diaper should be folded above the cord would be
incorrect, indicating the need for further instruction. The cord should be kept clean
and dry to decrease bacterial growth. Cord care is required until the cord dries up
and falls off, between 7 and 14 days after birth. The cord should be cleansed two or
three times a day with soap and water or other prescribed agents.
The nursery room nurse is assessing a newborn infant who was born to a
mother who abuses alcohol. Which assessment finding should the nurse
expect to note?
1.
Lethargy
2.
Irritability
3.
Higher-than-normal birth weight
4.
A greater-than-normal appetite when feeding
2
Characteristic behaviors of the newborn infant with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are
similar to those of the drug-exposed newborn infant. These behaviors include
irritability, tremors, poor feeding, and hypersensitivity to stimuli. Newborn infants with
FAS are smaller at birth and present with failure to thrive. Head circumference and
weight are most affected (smaller head circumference and decreased weight).
The postpartum nurse teaches a mother how to give a bath to the newborn
infant and observes the mother performing the procedure. Which observation
indicates a lack of understanding of the instructions?
1.
The mother bathes the newborn infant after a feeding.
2.
The mother states that she would gather all supplies before the bath is started.
3.
The mother states that she would never leave the newborn infant in the tub of
water alone.
4.
The mother fills a clean basin or sink with 2 to 3 inches of water and then
checks the temperature with her wrist.
1
It is not advisable to bathe a newborn infant after a feeding because handling may
cause regurgitation. Because bathing is thought to be relaxing to the infant, bathing
, Page 3 of 35
before feeding may be the best time. All other options are appropriate interventions
in teaching the mother how to bathe a newborn.
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questions, pharmacology, and test-taking techniques with confidence.
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Contact:
A newborn infant of a mother who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
infection is tested for the presence of HIV antibodies. An enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is performed, and the results are positive.
Which is the correct interpretation of these results?
1.
Positive for HIV
2.
Indicates the presence of maternal infection
3.
Indicates that the newborn will develop AIDS later in life
4.
Positive for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
2
A positive antibody test in a child younger than 18 months of age indicates only that
the mother is infected because maternal immunoglobulin G antibodies persist in
infants for 6 to 9 months and, in some cases, as long as 18 months. A positive
ELISA does not indicate true HIV infection or the development of AIDS, nor does it
indicate that the newborn will develop AIDS later in life.
A nurse employed in a neonatal intensive care nursery receives a telephone
call from the delivery room and is told that a newborn with spina bifida
(myelomeningocele type) will be transported to the nursery. The maternity
nurse prepares for the arrival of the newborn and places which priority item at
the newborn's bedside?
1.
A rectal thermometer
2.
A blood pressure cuff
3.
A specific gravity urinometer
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4.
A bottle of sterile normal saline
4
Spina bifida is a central nervous system defect that results from failure of the neural
tube to close during embryonic development. The newborn with spina bifida is at risk
for infection before the closure of the sac, which is done soon after birth. A sterile
normal saline dressing is placed over the sac to maintain moisture of the sac and its
contents. This prevents tearing or breakdown of the skin integrity at the site. A
thermometer will be needed to assess temperature, but in this newborn the priority is
to maintain sterile normal saline dressings over the sac. Blood pressure may be
difficult to assess during the newborn period and is not the best indicator of infection.
Urine concentration is not well developed in the newborn stage of development.
Which statement reflects a new mother's understanding of the teaching about
the prevention of newborn abduction?
1.
"I will place my baby's crib close to the door."
2.
"Some health care personnel won't have name badges."
3.
"It's OK to allow the unlicensed assistive personnel to carry my newborn to
the nursery."
4.
"I will ask the nurse to attend to my infant if I am napping and my husband is
not here."
4
Precautions to prevent infant abduction include placing a newborn's crib away from
the door, transporting a newborn only in the crib and never carrying the newborn,
expecting health care personnel to wear identification that is easily visible at all
times, and asking the nurse to attend to the newborn if the mother is napping and no
family member is available to watch the newborn (the newborn is never left
unattended). If the mother states that she will ask the nurse to watch the newborn
while she is sleeping, she has understood the teaching. Options 1, 2, and 3 are
incorrect and would indicate that the mother needs further teaching.
The nurse prepares to administer a vitamin K injection to a newborn, and the
mother asks the nurse why her infant needs the injection. What best response
should the nurse provide?
1.
"Your newborn needs vitamin K to develop immunity."
2.
"The vitamin K will protect your newborn from being jaundiced."
NEWBORN ASSESSMENT: NCLEX QUESTIONS EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS EXAM 2026 LATEST EDITION
SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
Newborn Assessment: NCLEX questions
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on a newborn infant. When
assessing the infant's head, the nurse notes that the ears are low-set. Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
1.
Document the findings.
2.
Arrange for hearing testing.
3.
Notify the health care provider.
4.
Cover the ears with gauze pads.
3
Low or oddly placed ears are associated with various congenital defects and should
be reported immediately. Although the findings should be documented, the most
appropriate action would be to notify the health care provider. Options 2 and 4 are
inaccurate and inappropriate nursing actions.
The nurse is providing instructions to a new mother regarding cord care for a
newborn infant. Which statement, if made by the mother, indicates a need for
further instructions?
1.
"The cord will fall off in 1 to 2 weeks."
2.
"Alcohol may be used to clean the cord."
3.
"I should cleanse the cord two or three times a day."
4.
"I need to fold the diaper above the cord to prevent infection."
4
, Page 2 of 35
The diaper should be folded below the cord to keep urine away from the cord, so a
statement by the client that the diaper should be folded above the cord would be
incorrect, indicating the need for further instruction. The cord should be kept clean
and dry to decrease bacterial growth. Cord care is required until the cord dries up
and falls off, between 7 and 14 days after birth. The cord should be cleansed two or
three times a day with soap and water or other prescribed agents.
The nursery room nurse is assessing a newborn infant who was born to a
mother who abuses alcohol. Which assessment finding should the nurse
expect to note?
1.
Lethargy
2.
Irritability
3.
Higher-than-normal birth weight
4.
A greater-than-normal appetite when feeding
2
Characteristic behaviors of the newborn infant with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are
similar to those of the drug-exposed newborn infant. These behaviors include
irritability, tremors, poor feeding, and hypersensitivity to stimuli. Newborn infants with
FAS are smaller at birth and present with failure to thrive. Head circumference and
weight are most affected (smaller head circumference and decreased weight).
The postpartum nurse teaches a mother how to give a bath to the newborn
infant and observes the mother performing the procedure. Which observation
indicates a lack of understanding of the instructions?
1.
The mother bathes the newborn infant after a feeding.
2.
The mother states that she would gather all supplies before the bath is started.
3.
The mother states that she would never leave the newborn infant in the tub of
water alone.
4.
The mother fills a clean basin or sink with 2 to 3 inches of water and then
checks the temperature with her wrist.
1
It is not advisable to bathe a newborn infant after a feeding because handling may
cause regurgitation. Because bathing is thought to be relaxing to the infant, bathing
, Page 3 of 35
before feeding may be the best time. All other options are appropriate interventions
in teaching the mother how to bathe a newborn.
PASS YOUR NCLEX ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT!
I help nursing students master NCLEX strategies, critical thinking, SATA
questions, pharmacology, and test-taking techniques with confidence.
Join my coaching program today and prepare smarter, not harder.
Contact:
A newborn infant of a mother who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
infection is tested for the presence of HIV antibodies. An enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is performed, and the results are positive.
Which is the correct interpretation of these results?
1.
Positive for HIV
2.
Indicates the presence of maternal infection
3.
Indicates that the newborn will develop AIDS later in life
4.
Positive for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
2
A positive antibody test in a child younger than 18 months of age indicates only that
the mother is infected because maternal immunoglobulin G antibodies persist in
infants for 6 to 9 months and, in some cases, as long as 18 months. A positive
ELISA does not indicate true HIV infection or the development of AIDS, nor does it
indicate that the newborn will develop AIDS later in life.
A nurse employed in a neonatal intensive care nursery receives a telephone
call from the delivery room and is told that a newborn with spina bifida
(myelomeningocele type) will be transported to the nursery. The maternity
nurse prepares for the arrival of the newborn and places which priority item at
the newborn's bedside?
1.
A rectal thermometer
2.
A blood pressure cuff
3.
A specific gravity urinometer
, Page 4 of 35
4.
A bottle of sterile normal saline
4
Spina bifida is a central nervous system defect that results from failure of the neural
tube to close during embryonic development. The newborn with spina bifida is at risk
for infection before the closure of the sac, which is done soon after birth. A sterile
normal saline dressing is placed over the sac to maintain moisture of the sac and its
contents. This prevents tearing or breakdown of the skin integrity at the site. A
thermometer will be needed to assess temperature, but in this newborn the priority is
to maintain sterile normal saline dressings over the sac. Blood pressure may be
difficult to assess during the newborn period and is not the best indicator of infection.
Urine concentration is not well developed in the newborn stage of development.
Which statement reflects a new mother's understanding of the teaching about
the prevention of newborn abduction?
1.
"I will place my baby's crib close to the door."
2.
"Some health care personnel won't have name badges."
3.
"It's OK to allow the unlicensed assistive personnel to carry my newborn to
the nursery."
4.
"I will ask the nurse to attend to my infant if I am napping and my husband is
not here."
4
Precautions to prevent infant abduction include placing a newborn's crib away from
the door, transporting a newborn only in the crib and never carrying the newborn,
expecting health care personnel to wear identification that is easily visible at all
times, and asking the nurse to attend to the newborn if the mother is napping and no
family member is available to watch the newborn (the newborn is never left
unattended). If the mother states that she will ask the nurse to watch the newborn
while she is sleeping, she has understood the teaching. Options 1, 2, and 3 are
incorrect and would indicate that the mother needs further teaching.
The nurse prepares to administer a vitamin K injection to a newborn, and the
mother asks the nurse why her infant needs the injection. What best response
should the nurse provide?
1.
"Your newborn needs vitamin K to develop immunity."
2.
"The vitamin K will protect your newborn from being jaundiced."
